TAUNTON Deane MP Jeremy Browne believes it would be “a mistake” for the LibDem party to actively look at forming another coalition at next year's general election.

His comments come after Deputy Prime Minister and party leader Nick Clegg indicated a willingness to 'team-up' with Labour in a BBC Radio 4 documentary.

Mr Clegg said he believed the Labour party had “changed” and also took a swipe at the Tories, saying they have become “more ideological” and have “returned much more to a lot of their familiar theme tunes.”

However Mr Browne expressed unease at Mr Clegg's position, telling the County Gazette: “I believe the coalition Government is making the difficult but necessary decisions to repair the national economy.

"The deficit is falling, unemployment is falling, and the economy is growing.

“The Liberal Democrats have played a crucial role in the recovery and we should not be ambivalent about our contribution to the success of the government.”

Comments

[deleted]
10:31pm Wed 19 Feb 14

[deleted]

Jeremy Browne makes the ridiculous claim that New 'Labour' represents 'socialism'...Let's see what this so called 'Labour' Party are doing in Swansea, for example....
Not elected to make cuts, but Swansea's Labour councillors press ahead anyway
Cowards flinching and traitors sneering a plenty but not a single principled Labour councillor willing to vote against £26 million of Con-Dem cuts in the coming year and £45 million in the next three years. That tells you everything worth knowing about the full-council budget meeting in Swansea last night.
Labour councillors adopted a number of strategies to hide their embarrassment at being lobbied before the meeting and being asked not to vote for the cuts. Some scurried past as quick as they could, others shouted abuse at us, while some pretended that the council isn't making cuts. By far the most common response was to claim that cuts are 'Con-Dem cuts'. But if Labour councillors vote for Con-Dem cuts then they become their cuts.
Voting for Con-Dem cuts is exactly what they did. Despite every protestation that they weren't elected to make cuts, every Labour councillor did just that.
My trade union, Unison, is calling for Labour councils to raise the council tax by the maximum. Well, Swansea's Labour councillors have done that, raising council tax by 5% and still making millions of pounds of cuts to our members' jobs and services.
Manoeuvres
In the last couple of weeks, in the face of a public outcry, the council has announced suspension of decisions or delay in implementation of some of the most unpopular decisions: scrapping school crossing patrols, closing residential care homes, etc.
However the Medium Term Financial Plan makes it clear that all these measures are still on the agenda. This was spelt out when the finance officer made it clear that if three residential care homes were not shut down then the savings projected would have to be found from elsewhere, even though Labour councillors have been holding up the delay to shutting these homes as an example of how they listened to the people of Swansea.
Nobody in Swansea should be under any illusions; at best, some services have received a limited stay of execution but the overall amount of cuts to jobs and services remains unaltered.
Privatisation
The council budget is peppered with variations on the phrase "alternative delivery model". Behind this seemingly innocuous phrase is hidden the realities of outsourcing. Outsourcing invariably means less job security, poorer pay, harsher terms, and worse working conditions for staff. This inevitably leads to poorer services for those that rely on them.
Swansea's Labour council is also making a liar of Wales' Labour First Minister, Carwyn Jones, who was applauded for pledging at the Wales TUC, last May, that "..there is no room for outsourcing of public services in Wales".
In 2012, people in Swansea elected a majority Labour council because they didn't want Con-Dem cuts. Less than two years later, they're getting Con-Dem cuts and outsourcing at the hands of the same Labour councillors.
For more information, or to join the Socialist Party, visit: www.socialistparty.o
rg.ukSomerset*SocialistParty

Jeremy Browne makes the ridiculous claim that New 'Labour' represents 'socialism'...Let's see what this so called 'Labour' Party are doing in Swansea, for example....

Not elected to make cuts, but Swansea's Labour councillors press ahead anyway

Cowards flinching and traitors sneering a plenty but not a single principled Labour councillor willing to vote against £26 million of Con-Dem cuts in the coming year and £45 million in the next three years. That tells you everything worth knowing about the full-council budget meeting in Swansea last night.

Labour councillors adopted a number of strategies to hide their embarrassment at being lobbied before the meeting and being asked not to vote for the cuts. Some scurried past as quick as they could, others shouted abuse at us, while some pretended that the council isn't making cuts. By far the most common response was to claim that cuts are 'Con-Dem cuts'. But if Labour councillors vote for Con-Dem cuts then they become their cuts.

Voting for Con-Dem cuts is exactly what they did. Despite every protestation that they weren't elected to make cuts, every Labour councillor did just that.

My trade union, Unison, is calling for Labour councils to raise the council tax by the maximum. Well, Swansea's Labour councillors have done that, raising council tax by 5% and still making millions of pounds of cuts to our members' jobs and services.

Manoeuvres

In the last couple of weeks, in the face of a public outcry, the council has announced suspension of decisions or delay in implementation of some of the most unpopular decisions: scrapping school crossing patrols, closing residential care homes, etc.

However the Medium Term Financial Plan makes it clear that all these measures are still on the agenda. This was spelt out when the finance officer made it clear that if three residential care homes were not shut down then the savings projected would have to be found from elsewhere, even though Labour councillors have been holding up the delay to shutting these homes as an example of how they listened to the people of Swansea.

Nobody in Swansea should be under any illusions; at best, some services have received a limited stay of execution but the overall amount of cuts to jobs and services remains unaltered.

Privatisation

The council budget is peppered with variations on the phrase "alternative delivery model". Behind this seemingly innocuous phrase is hidden the realities of outsourcing. Outsourcing invariably means less job security, poorer pay, harsher terms, and worse working conditions for staff. This inevitably leads to poorer services for those that rely on them.

Swansea's Labour council is also making a liar of Wales' Labour First Minister, Carwyn Jones, who was applauded for pledging at the Wales TUC, last May, that "..there is no room for outsourcing of public services in Wales".

In 2012, people in Swansea elected a majority Labour council because they didn't want Con-Dem cuts. Less than two years later, they're getting Con-Dem cuts and outsourcing at the hands of the same Labour councillors.

For more information, or to join the Socialist Party, visit: www.socialistparty.o
rg.uk

Score: 0

[deleted]
12:18am Thu 20 Feb 14

[deleted]

Jeremy Browne makes the ridiculous claim that New 'Labour' represents 'socialism'...Let's see what this so called 'Labour' Party are doing in Derbyshire....
Derbyshire: 'Old Labour' cuts hurt just as much
Derbyshire county council's recently elected Labour administration has announced £157 million of cuts over the next three years, attacking the most vulnerable in society.
Consultation over the cuts under the innocuous title of the "Derbyshire Challenge" has been launched with the council leader declaring 'we've got no choice'.
Councils do have a choice - fight or capitulate. Derbyshire is following the route of every other Labour council - abject capitulation.
The irony of many of these Labour councillors last year celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Clay Cross council struggle - when councillors held firm against a Tory government - is not lost.
Yet, the majority of Derbyshire's Labour councillors aren't high flying local businesspeople who came to the fore during the Blair years.
Many would class themselves as 'old Labour', mining stock politicians whose parliamentary heroes are the likes of Nye Bevan and Dennis Skinner.
But they have no clue how to fight. That is why Unite union leader Len McCluskey's attempts to 'save' Labour are way too late and forlorn - the supposed left wing in the party is not only forbidden under its structures from mounting an effective opposition, it no longer knows how.
'Finishing the job'
With Ed Balls' announcement that a Labour government will 'finish the job' of big public spending cuts, any Labour council that solely puts the blame on a Tory government is being disingenuous. They will be facing the same pressures from their own party in government.
£12 million is being cut from the adult care budget. This will include closing day care services, introducing a £5 per occasion charge for using transport to and from day-centres and increasing the level at which adults qualify for council care to 'substantial' need.
The amount people will pay for council care will increase from 50% of their Attendance Allowance/Disability Living Allowance to 60%, 75% or 90%.
Funding of housing-related support services which help vulnerable people to set up and maintain a home will be reduced.
Funding for personal budgets will be cut. Funding for voluntary sector care providers is being slashed as well. And, of course, there'll be job losses.
£6 million will be cut from the children and younger adults and £7 million from the economy, environment and transport budgets.
These include withdrawing free public transport and other cutbacks for school students with special educational needs, closing seven children's centres and turning off street lights.
At almost every turn, these cuts punish the underprivileged and ordinary working people the most. At the same time the council is raising council tax by 1.99% (to raise it by 2% they would have to hold a referendum).
This position is ridiculously supported by local trade union leaders who certainly haven't asked their members if, after years of falling pay, they're now happy to pay increased tax.
But it is impossible for this level of cuts to be made without a fightback. Socialist Party members in Derbyshire will be ready to play their roles in that struggle.
For more information, or to join the Socialist Party, visit: www.socialistparty.o
rg.ukSomerset*SocialistParty

Jeremy Browne makes the ridiculous claim that New 'Labour' represents 'socialism'...Let's see what this so called 'Labour' Party are doing in Derbyshire....

Derbyshire: 'Old Labour' cuts hurt just as much

Derbyshire county council's recently elected Labour administration has announced £157 million of cuts over the next three years, attacking the most vulnerable in society.

Consultation over the cuts under the innocuous title of the "Derbyshire Challenge" has been launched with the council leader declaring 'we've got no choice'.

Councils do have a choice - fight or capitulate. Derbyshire is following the route of every other Labour council - abject capitulation.

The irony of many of these Labour councillors last year celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Clay Cross council struggle - when councillors held firm against a Tory government - is not lost.

Yet, the majority of Derbyshire's Labour councillors aren't high flying local businesspeople who came to the fore during the Blair years.

Many would class themselves as 'old Labour', mining stock politicians whose parliamentary heroes are the likes of Nye Bevan and Dennis Skinner.

But they have no clue how to fight. That is why Unite union leader Len McCluskey's attempts to 'save' Labour are way too late and forlorn - the supposed left wing in the party is not only forbidden under its structures from mounting an effective opposition, it no longer knows how.

'Finishing the job'

With Ed Balls' announcement that a Labour government will 'finish the job' of big public spending cuts, any Labour council that solely puts the blame on a Tory government is being disingenuous. They will be facing the same pressures from their own party in government.

£12 million is being cut from the adult care budget. This will include closing day care services, introducing a £5 per occasion charge for using transport to and from day-centres and increasing the level at which adults qualify for council care to 'substantial' need.

The amount people will pay for council care will increase from 50% of their Attendance Allowance/Disability Living Allowance to 60%, 75% or 90%.

Funding of housing-related support services which help vulnerable people to set up and maintain a home will be reduced.

Funding for personal budgets will be cut. Funding for voluntary sector care providers is being slashed as well. And, of course, there'll be job losses.

£6 million will be cut from the children and younger adults and £7 million from the economy, environment and transport budgets.

These include withdrawing free public transport and other cutbacks for school students with special educational needs, closing seven children's centres and turning off street lights.

At almost every turn, these cuts punish the underprivileged and ordinary working people the most. At the same time the council is raising council tax by 1.99% (to raise it by 2% they would have to hold a referendum).

This position is ridiculously supported by local trade union leaders who certainly haven't asked their members if, after years of falling pay, they're now happy to pay increased tax.

But it is impossible for this level of cuts to be made without a fightback. Socialist Party members in Derbyshire will be ready to play their roles in that struggle.

For more information, or to join the Socialist Party, visit: www.socialistparty.o
rg.uk

Score: 0

[deleted]
12:22am Thu 20 Feb 14

[deleted]

Jeremy Browne makes the ridiculous claim that New 'Labour' represents 'socialism'...Let's see what this so called 'Labour' Party are doing in Birmingham....
Birmingham Labour council 'consults' over £87 million cuts
Birmingham's Labour city council plans another £87 million of cuts in the 2014-15 financial year. As expected its 'consultation' was just an opportunity for the council leader to present a slick presentation with the usual mantra of 'there is nothing else we can do'.
Not one of the contributions from the floor supported the cuts. Damagingly for the council and its notion of handing over whole services to the voluntary sector, a number of volunteers who work in the city's parks categorically stated that they can't do their voluntary work without the help of professional council workers!
The council has abandoned the concept of public service and use as its blueprint the recently opened Harborne Leisure Centre which is council funded but run by the private sector!
No entire service will be closed in the next financial year but no such guarantees could be made for the year after that.
The council leader once again told the assembled audience that they could not pass a 'needs budget' because it would be unlawful and commissioners would be sent in.
But two anti-cuts councillors in Southampton last year proposed a 'legal' needs budget based on initially using reserves and borrowing, and campaigning for the needed funds from central government. So why couldn't Birmingham do the same?
The council leader is misleading the public to hide his political cowardice.
A delegation from the Maypole Youth Centre applauded when I told the council leader he should resign.
There will be a strong anti-cuts challenge in this year's elections including candidates from the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition that will raise the profile of the fight against cuts and provide a political alternative to the Labour Party in Birmingham.
TUSC
The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) is an electoral alliance that stands candidates against all cuts and privatisation. It involves the RMT transport workers' union, leading members of other trade unions including the PCS, NUT and POA, and socialist groups including the Socialist Party.
www.tusc.org.ukSomerset*SocialistParty

Jeremy Browne makes the ridiculous claim that New 'Labour' represents 'socialism'...Let's see what this so called 'Labour' Party are doing in Birmingham....

Birmingham Labour council 'consults' over £87 million cuts

Birmingham's Labour city council plans another £87 million of cuts in the 2014-15 financial year. As expected its 'consultation' was just an opportunity for the council leader to present a slick presentation with the usual mantra of 'there is nothing else we can do'.

Not one of the contributions from the floor supported the cuts. Damagingly for the council and its notion of handing over whole services to the voluntary sector, a number of volunteers who work in the city's parks categorically stated that they can't do their voluntary work without the help of professional council workers!

The council has abandoned the concept of public service and use as its blueprint the recently opened Harborne Leisure Centre which is council funded but run by the private sector!

No entire service will be closed in the next financial year but no such guarantees could be made for the year after that.

The council leader once again told the assembled audience that they could not pass a 'needs budget' because it would be unlawful and commissioners would be sent in.

But two anti-cuts councillors in Southampton last year proposed a 'legal' needs budget based on initially using reserves and borrowing, and campaigning for the needed funds from central government. So why couldn't Birmingham do the same?

The council leader is misleading the public to hide his political cowardice.

A delegation from the Maypole Youth Centre applauded when I told the council leader he should resign.

There will be a strong anti-cuts challenge in this year's elections including candidates from the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition that will raise the profile of the fight against cuts and provide a political alternative to the Labour Party in Birmingham.

TUSC

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) is an electoral alliance that stands candidates against all cuts and privatisation. It involves the RMT transport workers' union, leading members of other trade unions including the PCS, NUT and POA, and socialist groups including the Socialist Party.

www.tusc.org.uk

Score: 0

[deleted]
12:25am Thu 20 Feb 14

[deleted]

Jeremy Browne makes the ridiculous claim that New 'Labour' represents 'socialism'...Let's see what this so called 'Labour' Party are doing in Lewisham....
Councils pass on Tory pain
Lewisham Labour mayor Steve Bullock's council policy is cuts, cuts and more cuts. There have already been £82 million of them, £17 million are planned after May's council election.
He wants at least another £85 million, stretching into 2018 whoever wins the general election.
In December Bullock and his cabinet decided further cuts and charge increases. Many cuts were aimed at children.
A lobby by the union Unite forced £300,000 of cuts in the School Attendance and Welfare (truancy) Service, plus the £200,000 previously agreed, to be "deferred" but not cancelled.
The mayor reduced the number of recycling rounds to eight from nine, eliminating four jobs. This decision was referred back but is likely to go ahead unless the unions put up a fight.
The rent for a single bed space will rise 25% to £150 a week, and to £190 a week for three bed spaces.
These are for homeless people at the top of the waiting list, and don't include gas, electricity and water.
Lewisham Homes talks about a property 'ladder', but for Lewisham people it is more like a snake.
The 2011 census shows 24.3% of Lewisham households rent privately, up from 14.3% in 2001. Meanwhile homeowners went down from 15.4% to 14.9%, mortgage payers from 33.1% to 27.5% and council tenants from 26.6% to 16.6%.
The mayor approved putting the out-of-hours emergency service out to tender, reckoning to save £100,000 a year.
But direct labour would do a better job cheaper. One company mentioned is Capita whose boss earns £900,000 a year, and which has a proven record of incompetence.
The boss of Mitie, which is refurbishing homes in Lewisham, is paid over £1 million a year.
There's no need to attack public services - taking all services back in-house would save millions of pounds, for example.
Fight the cuts!
TUSC
The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) is an electoral alliance that stands candidates against all cuts and privatisation. It involves the RMT transport workers' union, leading members of other trade unions including the PCS, NUT and POA, and socialist groups including the Socialist Party.
www.tusc.org.ukSomerset*SocialistParty

Jeremy Browne makes the ridiculous claim that New 'Labour' represents 'socialism'...Let's see what this so called 'Labour' Party are doing in Lewisham....

Councils pass on Tory pain

Lewisham Labour mayor Steve Bullock's council policy is cuts, cuts and more cuts. There have already been £82 million of them, £17 million are planned after May's council election.

He wants at least another £85 million, stretching into 2018 whoever wins the general election.

In December Bullock and his cabinet decided further cuts and charge increases. Many cuts were aimed at children.

A lobby by the union Unite forced £300,000 of cuts in the School Attendance and Welfare (truancy) Service, plus the £200,000 previously agreed, to be "deferred" but not cancelled.

The mayor reduced the number of recycling rounds to eight from nine, eliminating four jobs. This decision was referred back but is likely to go ahead unless the unions put up a fight.

The rent for a single bed space will rise 25% to £150 a week, and to £190 a week for three bed spaces.

These are for homeless people at the top of the waiting list, and don't include gas, electricity and water.

Lewisham Homes talks about a property 'ladder', but for Lewisham people it is more like a snake.

The 2011 census shows 24.3% of Lewisham households rent privately, up from 14.3% in 2001. Meanwhile homeowners went down from 15.4% to 14.9%, mortgage payers from 33.1% to 27.5% and council tenants from 26.6% to 16.6%.

The mayor approved putting the out-of-hours emergency service out to tender, reckoning to save £100,000 a year.

But direct labour would do a better job cheaper. One company mentioned is Capita whose boss earns £900,000 a year, and which has a proven record of incompetence.

The boss of Mitie, which is refurbishing homes in Lewisham, is paid over £1 million a year.

There's no need to attack public services - taking all services back in-house would save millions of pounds, for example.

Fight the cuts!

TUSC

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) is an electoral alliance that stands candidates against all cuts and privatisation. It involves the RMT transport workers' union, leading members of other trade unions including the PCS, NUT and POA, and socialist groups including the Socialist Party.

www.tusc.org.uk

Score: 0

[deleted]
12:32am Thu 20 Feb 14

[deleted]

Jeremy Browne makes the ridiculous claim that New 'Labour' represents 'socialism'...Let's see what this so called 'Labour' Party are doing in Southampton....
Southampton: Labour flies the white flag in face of call to fight back
£57 million cuts since 2010 and Southampton's New Labour council has announced a further £60 million cuts to come over the next three years.
This week's council meeting was the last before the council votes its budget through in February next year.
Southampton Councillors Against Cuts, Keith Morrell and Don Thomas, went to the meeting to urge Labour councillors to reject the cuts agenda and launch a mass campaign to fight central government for the funding the city needs.
Through using reserves and borrowing powers to fund the budget gap, as Keith and Don put forward at this year's budget-setting meeting, it would be entirely possible to protect jobs and services.
By refusing to implement the cuts the council would give a lead, build mass support that could force a weak and unpopular government into retreat.
Moving their motion, Keith said:
This motion gives the Labour councillors in this chamber today the opportunity to chart a different course.
You can say to this government of the rich and powerful: 'We were elected by the working people of this city to defend their interests, not collaborate in attacking them.'
You can say to this government of the rich and powerful: 'We demand you give us back the money you have stolen from us!'
You can say to this government of the rich and powerful: 'We will convene a conference here in this city to which we will invite the people of Southampton, to debate the way forward and organise a challenge to the unacceptable demands you are making on us.'
You can say to this government of the rich and powerful: 'We are Labour councillors who refuse to bend the knee.
We are Labour councillors who will fight for our class. We are Labour councillors who say: the fight-back starts here, today!'
Seconding the motion, Don said:
It has been shown recently if you are willing to fight anything is possible. Look at how the trade unions last year put up a fight and came out with decent terms and conditions. And of course it's not that long ago we were told that Oaklands swimming pool was to close and we were to "get used to it", as the then leader of the council said at the time.
Again residents and others were not willing "to get used to it", instead putting up a fight and forcing the administration to find an alternative, giving the pool a future. So it can be done.
False arguments
Council leader, Simon Letts, gave a reply that unfortunately confirmed the deepest cynicism and betrayal in the face of the impact these cuts will have.
Completely unwilling to provide any leadership, he hides behind false arguments of 'illegality', of 'commissioners taking over' and 'absence of any support' for such a stand.
In fact Labour is happy to promote a consultation process that encourages the public to choose which services they want to cut and where efficiencies can be made.
Some councillors understand that this will mean the wholesale destruction of the youth services, libraries, Sure Start services and non-statutory provision.
Even the council workers, whose strike in 2011 paved the way for the defeat of the Tory council in 2012, will see an attack on their terms and conditions.
Badged as the implementation of a Living Wage, the proposal is unfunded and demands changes to current terms and conditions.
The Labour administration has warned that if an agreement isn't reached, workers will be dismissed and re-employed on new contracts. Exactly the same threats as used by the previous Tory council!
One outcome of the council debate was to unite Labour, Lib Dems and Tories in attacking Keith's and Don's proposal! In reply Keith hammered the Labour group: "The Labour Party was formed to fight for working people against the rich and powerful. All we hear from you are excuses! You have become managers - what difference to the Tories?"
The council debate was covered on the regional BBC TV evening news - Keith and Don and supporters were shown on the steps of the Civic Centre - and BBC local radio interviewed supporters.
The message is clear: Labour may have no fight in them, no alternative and no confidence in winning support to stop the cuts, but Southampton Councillors Against the Cuts do and are prepared to take the campaign to communities across the city in the months running up to next February's budget-setting meeting.
TUSC
The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) is an electoral alliance that stands candidates against all cuts and privatisation. It involves the RMT transport workers' union, leading members of other trade unions including the PCS, NUT and POA, and socialist groups including the Socialist Party.
www.tusc.org.uk
For more information, or to join the Socialist Party, visit: www.socialistparty.o
rg.ukSomerset*SocialistParty

Jeremy Browne makes the ridiculous claim that New 'Labour' represents 'socialism'...Let's see what this so called 'Labour' Party are doing in Southampton....

Southampton: Labour flies the white flag in face of call to fight back

£57 million cuts since 2010 and Southampton's New Labour council has announced a further £60 million cuts to come over the next three years.

This week's council meeting was the last before the council votes its budget through in February next year.

Southampton Councillors Against Cuts, Keith Morrell and Don Thomas, went to the meeting to urge Labour councillors to reject the cuts agenda and launch a mass campaign to fight central government for the funding the city needs.

Through using reserves and borrowing powers to fund the budget gap, as Keith and Don put forward at this year's budget-setting meeting, it would be entirely possible to protect jobs and services.

By refusing to implement the cuts the council would give a lead, build mass support that could force a weak and unpopular government into retreat.

Moving their motion, Keith said:

This motion gives the Labour councillors in this chamber today the opportunity to chart a different course.

You can say to this government of the rich and powerful: 'We were elected by the working people of this city to defend their interests, not collaborate in attacking them.'

You can say to this government of the rich and powerful: 'We demand you give us back the money you have stolen from us!'

You can say to this government of the rich and powerful: 'We will convene a conference here in this city to which we will invite the people of Southampton, to debate the way forward and organise a challenge to the unacceptable demands you are making on us.'

You can say to this government of the rich and powerful: 'We are Labour councillors who refuse to bend the knee.

We are Labour councillors who will fight for our class. We are Labour councillors who say: the fight-back starts here, today!'

Seconding the motion, Don said:

It has been shown recently if you are willing to fight anything is possible. Look at how the trade unions last year put up a fight and came out with decent terms and conditions. And of course it's not that long ago we were told that Oaklands swimming pool was to close and we were to "get used to it", as the then leader of the council said at the time.

Again residents and others were not willing "to get used to it", instead putting up a fight and forcing the administration to find an alternative, giving the pool a future. So it can be done.

False arguments

Council leader, Simon Letts, gave a reply that unfortunately confirmed the deepest cynicism and betrayal in the face of the impact these cuts will have.

Completely unwilling to provide any leadership, he hides behind false arguments of 'illegality', of 'commissioners taking over' and 'absence of any support' for such a stand.

In fact Labour is happy to promote a consultation process that encourages the public to choose which services they want to cut and where efficiencies can be made.

Some councillors understand that this will mean the wholesale destruction of the youth services, libraries, Sure Start services and non-statutory provision.

Even the council workers, whose strike in 2011 paved the way for the defeat of the Tory council in 2012, will see an attack on their terms and conditions.

Badged as the implementation of a Living Wage, the proposal is unfunded and demands changes to current terms and conditions.

The Labour administration has warned that if an agreement isn't reached, workers will be dismissed and re-employed on new contracts. Exactly the same threats as used by the previous Tory council!

One outcome of the council debate was to unite Labour, Lib Dems and Tories in attacking Keith's and Don's proposal! In reply Keith hammered the Labour group: "The Labour Party was formed to fight for working people against the rich and powerful. All we hear from you are excuses! You have become managers - what difference to the Tories?"

The council debate was covered on the regional BBC TV evening news - Keith and Don and supporters were shown on the steps of the Civic Centre - and BBC local radio interviewed supporters.

The message is clear: Labour may have no fight in them, no alternative and no confidence in winning support to stop the cuts, but Southampton Councillors Against the Cuts do and are prepared to take the campaign to communities across the city in the months running up to next February's budget-setting meeting.

TUSC

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) is an electoral alliance that stands candidates against all cuts and privatisation. It involves the RMT transport workers' union, leading members of other trade unions including the PCS, NUT and POA, and socialist groups including the Socialist Party.

www.tusc.org.uk

For more information, or to join the Socialist Party, visit: www.socialistparty.o
rg.uk

Score: 0

SomersetBranch.SocialistParty
6:12pm Thu 20 Feb 14

Jeremy Browne makes the absolutely ludicrous claim that the so called 'Labour' Party represent 'socialism'....

Lets examine what New 'Labour' are doing in Birmingham...

Birmingham Labour council 'consults' over £87 million cuts

Birmingham's Labour city council plans another £87 million of cuts in the 2014-15 financial year. As expected its 'consultation' was just an opportunity for the council leader to present a slick presentation with the usual mantra of 'there is nothing else we can do'.

Not one of the contributions from the floor supported the cuts. Damagingly for the council and its notion of handing over whole services to the voluntary sector, a number of volunteers who work in the city's parks categorically stated that they can't do their voluntary work without the help of professional council workers!

The council has abandoned the concept of public service and use as its blueprint the recently opened Harborne Leisure Centre which is council funded but run by the private sector!

No entire service will be closed in the next financial year but no such guarantees could be made for the year after that.

The council leader once again told the assembled audience that they could not pass a 'needs budget' because it would be unlawful and commissioners would be sent in.

But two anti-cuts councillors in Southampton last year proposed a 'legal' needs budget based on initially using reserves and borrowing, and campaigning for the needed funds from central government. So why couldn't Birmingham do the same?

The council leader is misleading the public to hide his political cowardice.

A delegation from the Maypole Youth Centre applauded when I told the council leader he should resign.

There will be a strong anti-cuts challenge in this year's elections including candidates from the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition that will raise the profile of the fight against cuts and provide a political alternative to the Labour Party in Birmingham.

TUSC

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) is an electoral alliance that stands candidates against all cuts and privatisation. It involves the RMT transport workers' union, leading members of other trade unions including the PCS, NUT and POA, and socialist groups including the Socialist Party.

www.tusc.org.uk

Jeremy Browne makes the absolutely ludicrous claim that the so called 'Labour' Party represent 'socialism'....
Lets examine what New 'Labour' are doing in Birmingham...
Birmingham Labour council 'consults' over £87 million cuts
Birmingham's Labour city council plans another £87 million of cuts in the 2014-15 financial year. As expected its 'consultation' was just an opportunity for the council leader to present a slick presentation with the usual mantra of 'there is nothing else we can do'.
Not one of the contributions from the floor supported the cuts. Damagingly for the council and its notion of handing over whole services to the voluntary sector, a number of volunteers who work in the city's parks categorically stated that they can't do their voluntary work without the help of professional council workers!
The council has abandoned the concept of public service and use as its blueprint the recently opened Harborne Leisure Centre which is council funded but run by the private sector!
No entire service will be closed in the next financial year but no such guarantees could be made for the year after that.
The council leader once again told the assembled audience that they could not pass a 'needs budget' because it would be unlawful and commissioners would be sent in.
But two anti-cuts councillors in Southampton last year proposed a 'legal' needs budget based on initially using reserves and borrowing, and campaigning for the needed funds from central government. So why couldn't Birmingham do the same?
The council leader is misleading the public to hide his political cowardice.
A delegation from the Maypole Youth Centre applauded when I told the council leader he should resign.
There will be a strong anti-cuts challenge in this year's elections including candidates from the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition that will raise the profile of the fight against cuts and provide a political alternative to the Labour Party in Birmingham.
TUSC
The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) is an electoral alliance that stands candidates against all cuts and privatisation. It involves the RMT transport workers' union, leading members of other trade unions including the PCS, NUT and POA, and socialist groups including the Socialist Party.
www.tusc.org.ukSomersetBranch.SocialistParty

Jeremy Browne makes the absolutely ludicrous claim that the so called 'Labour' Party represent 'socialism'....

Lets examine what New 'Labour' are doing in Birmingham...

Birmingham Labour council 'consults' over £87 million cuts

Birmingham's Labour city council plans another £87 million of cuts in the 2014-15 financial year. As expected its 'consultation' was just an opportunity for the council leader to present a slick presentation with the usual mantra of 'there is nothing else we can do'.

Not one of the contributions from the floor supported the cuts. Damagingly for the council and its notion of handing over whole services to the voluntary sector, a number of volunteers who work in the city's parks categorically stated that they can't do their voluntary work without the help of professional council workers!

The council has abandoned the concept of public service and use as its blueprint the recently opened Harborne Leisure Centre which is council funded but run by the private sector!

No entire service will be closed in the next financial year but no such guarantees could be made for the year after that.

The council leader once again told the assembled audience that they could not pass a 'needs budget' because it would be unlawful and commissioners would be sent in.

But two anti-cuts councillors in Southampton last year proposed a 'legal' needs budget based on initially using reserves and borrowing, and campaigning for the needed funds from central government. So why couldn't Birmingham do the same?

The council leader is misleading the public to hide his political cowardice.

A delegation from the Maypole Youth Centre applauded when I told the council leader he should resign.

There will be a strong anti-cuts challenge in this year's elections including candidates from the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition that will raise the profile of the fight against cuts and provide a political alternative to the Labour Party in Birmingham.

TUSC

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) is an electoral alliance that stands candidates against all cuts and privatisation. It involves the RMT transport workers' union, leading members of other trade unions including the PCS, NUT and POA, and socialist groups including the Socialist Party.

www.tusc.org.uk

Score: 0

SomersetBranch.SocialistParty
6:16pm Thu 20 Feb 14

Jeremy Browne makes the absolutely ludicrous claim that the so called 'Labour' Party represent 'socialism'....

Lets examine what New 'Labour' are doing in Derbyshire...

Derbyshire: 'Old Labour' cuts hurt just as much

Derbyshire county council's recently elected Labour administration has announced £157 million of cuts over the next three years, attacking the most vulnerable in society.

Consultation over the cuts under the innocuous title of the "Derbyshire Challenge" has been launched with the council leader declaring 'we've got no choice'.

Councils do have a choice - fight or capitulate. Derbyshire is following the route of every other Labour council - abject capitulation.

The irony of many of these Labour councillors last year celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Clay Cross council struggle - when councillors held firm against a Tory government - is not lost.

Yet, the majority of Derbyshire's Labour councillors aren't high flying local businesspeople who came to the fore during the Blair years.

Many would class themselves as 'old Labour', mining stock politicians whose parliamentary heroes are the likes of Nye Bevan and Dennis Skinner.

But they have no clue how to fight. That is why Unite union leader Len McCluskey's attempts to 'save' Labour are way too late and forlorn - the supposed left wing in the party is not only forbidden under its structures from mounting an effective opposition, it no longer knows how.

'Finishing the job'

With Ed Balls' announcement that a Labour government will 'finish the job' of big public spending cuts, any Labour council that solely puts the blame on a Tory government is being disingenuous. They will be facing the same pressures from their own party in government.

£12 million is being cut from the adult care budget. This will include closing day care services, introducing a £5 per occasion charge for using transport to and from day-centres and increasing the level at which adults qualify for council care to 'substantial' need.

The amount people will pay for council care will increase from 50% of their Attendance Allowance/Disability Living Allowance to 60%, 75% or 90%.

Funding of housing-related support services which help vulnerable people to set up and maintain a home will be reduced.

Funding for personal budgets will be cut. Funding for voluntary sector care providers is being slashed as well. And, of course, there'll be job losses.

£6 million will be cut from the children and younger adults and £7 million from the economy, environment and transport budgets.

These include withdrawing free public transport and other cutbacks for school students with special educational needs, closing seven children's centres and turning off street lights.

At almost every turn, these cuts punish the underprivileged and ordinary working people the most. At the same time the council is raising council tax by 1.99% (to raise it by 2% they would have to hold a referendum).

This position is ridiculously supported by local trade union leaders who certainly haven't asked their members if, after years of falling pay, they're now happy to pay increased tax.

But it is impossible for this level of cuts to be made without a fightback. Socialist Party members in Derbyshire will be ready to play their roles in that struggle.

For more information, or to join the Socialist Party, visit: www.socialistparty.o
rg.uk

Jeremy Browne makes the absolutely ludicrous claim that the so called 'Labour' Party represent 'socialism'....
Lets examine what New 'Labour' are doing in Derbyshire...
Derbyshire: 'Old Labour' cuts hurt just as much
Derbyshire county council's recently elected Labour administration has announced £157 million of cuts over the next three years, attacking the most vulnerable in society.
Consultation over the cuts under the innocuous title of the "Derbyshire Challenge" has been launched with the council leader declaring 'we've got no choice'.
Councils do have a choice - fight or capitulate. Derbyshire is following the route of every other Labour council - abject capitulation.
The irony of many of these Labour councillors last year celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Clay Cross council struggle - when councillors held firm against a Tory government - is not lost.
Yet, the majority of Derbyshire's Labour councillors aren't high flying local businesspeople who came to the fore during the Blair years.
Many would class themselves as 'old Labour', mining stock politicians whose parliamentary heroes are the likes of Nye Bevan and Dennis Skinner.
But they have no clue how to fight. That is why Unite union leader Len McCluskey's attempts to 'save' Labour are way too late and forlorn - the supposed left wing in the party is not only forbidden under its structures from mounting an effective opposition, it no longer knows how.
'Finishing the job'
With Ed Balls' announcement that a Labour government will 'finish the job' of big public spending cuts, any Labour council that solely puts the blame on a Tory government is being disingenuous. They will be facing the same pressures from their own party in government.
£12 million is being cut from the adult care budget. This will include closing day care services, introducing a £5 per occasion charge for using transport to and from day-centres and increasing the level at which adults qualify for council care to 'substantial' need.
The amount people will pay for council care will increase from 50% of their Attendance Allowance/Disability Living Allowance to 60%, 75% or 90%.
Funding of housing-related support services which help vulnerable people to set up and maintain a home will be reduced.
Funding for personal budgets will be cut. Funding for voluntary sector care providers is being slashed as well. And, of course, there'll be job losses.
£6 million will be cut from the children and younger adults and £7 million from the economy, environment and transport budgets.
These include withdrawing free public transport and other cutbacks for school students with special educational needs, closing seven children's centres and turning off street lights.
At almost every turn, these cuts punish the underprivileged and ordinary working people the most. At the same time the council is raising council tax by 1.99% (to raise it by 2% they would have to hold a referendum).
This position is ridiculously supported by local trade union leaders who certainly haven't asked their members if, after years of falling pay, they're now happy to pay increased tax.
But it is impossible for this level of cuts to be made without a fightback. Socialist Party members in Derbyshire will be ready to play their roles in that struggle.
For more information, or to join the Socialist Party, visit: www.socialistparty.o
rg.ukSomersetBranch.SocialistParty

Jeremy Browne makes the absolutely ludicrous claim that the so called 'Labour' Party represent 'socialism'....

Lets examine what New 'Labour' are doing in Derbyshire...

Derbyshire: 'Old Labour' cuts hurt just as much

Derbyshire county council's recently elected Labour administration has announced £157 million of cuts over the next three years, attacking the most vulnerable in society.

Consultation over the cuts under the innocuous title of the "Derbyshire Challenge" has been launched with the council leader declaring 'we've got no choice'.

Councils do have a choice - fight or capitulate. Derbyshire is following the route of every other Labour council - abject capitulation.

The irony of many of these Labour councillors last year celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Clay Cross council struggle - when councillors held firm against a Tory government - is not lost.

Yet, the majority of Derbyshire's Labour councillors aren't high flying local businesspeople who came to the fore during the Blair years.

Many would class themselves as 'old Labour', mining stock politicians whose parliamentary heroes are the likes of Nye Bevan and Dennis Skinner.

But they have no clue how to fight. That is why Unite union leader Len McCluskey's attempts to 'save' Labour are way too late and forlorn - the supposed left wing in the party is not only forbidden under its structures from mounting an effective opposition, it no longer knows how.

'Finishing the job'

With Ed Balls' announcement that a Labour government will 'finish the job' of big public spending cuts, any Labour council that solely puts the blame on a Tory government is being disingenuous. They will be facing the same pressures from their own party in government.

£12 million is being cut from the adult care budget. This will include closing day care services, introducing a £5 per occasion charge for using transport to and from day-centres and increasing the level at which adults qualify for council care to 'substantial' need.

The amount people will pay for council care will increase from 50% of their Attendance Allowance/Disability Living Allowance to 60%, 75% or 90%.

Funding of housing-related support services which help vulnerable people to set up and maintain a home will be reduced.

Funding for personal budgets will be cut. Funding for voluntary sector care providers is being slashed as well. And, of course, there'll be job losses.

£6 million will be cut from the children and younger adults and £7 million from the economy, environment and transport budgets.

These include withdrawing free public transport and other cutbacks for school students with special educational needs, closing seven children's centres and turning off street lights.

At almost every turn, these cuts punish the underprivileged and ordinary working people the most. At the same time the council is raising council tax by 1.99% (to raise it by 2% they would have to hold a referendum).

This position is ridiculously supported by local trade union leaders who certainly haven't asked their members if, after years of falling pay, they're now happy to pay increased tax.

But it is impossible for this level of cuts to be made without a fightback. Socialist Party members in Derbyshire will be ready to play their roles in that struggle.

For more information, or to join the Socialist Party, visit: www.socialistparty.o
rg.uk

Score: 0

SomersetBranch.SocialistParty
6:19pm Thu 20 Feb 14

Jeremy Browne makes the absolutely ludicrous claim that the so called 'Labour' Party represent 'socialism'....

Lets examine what New 'Labour' are doing in Swansea...

Not elected to make cuts, but Swansea's Labour councillors press ahead anyway

Cowards flinching and traitors sneering a plenty but not a single principled Labour councillor willing to vote against £26 million of Con-Dem cuts in the coming year and £45 million in the next three years. That tells you everything worth knowing about the full-council budget meeting in Swansea last night.

Labour councillors adopted a number of strategies to hide their embarrassment at being lobbied before the meeting and being asked not to vote for the cuts. Some scurried past as quick as they could, others shouted abuse at us, while some pretended that the council isn't making cuts. By far the most common response was to claim that cuts are 'Con-Dem cuts'. But if Labour councillors vote for Con-Dem cuts then they become their cuts.

Voting for Con-Dem cuts is exactly what they did. Despite every protestation that they weren't elected to make cuts, every Labour councillor did just that.

My trade union, Unison, is calling for Labour councils to raise the council tax by the maximum. Well, Swansea's Labour councillors have done that, raising council tax by 5% and still making millions of pounds of cuts to our members' jobs and services.

Manoeuvres

In the last couple of weeks, in the face of a public outcry, the council has announced suspension of decisions or delay in implementation of some of the most unpopular decisions: scrapping school crossing patrols, closing residential care homes, etc.

However the Medium Term Financial Plan makes it clear that all these measures are still on the agenda. This was spelt out when the finance officer made it clear that if three residential care homes were not shut down then the savings projected would have to be found from elsewhere, even though Labour councillors have been holding up the delay to shutting these homes as an example of how they listened to the people of Swansea.

Nobody in Swansea should be under any illusions; at best, some services have received a limited stay of execution but the overall amount of cuts to jobs and services remains unaltered.

Privatisation

The council budget is peppered with variations on the phrase "alternative delivery model". Behind this seemingly innocuous phrase is hidden the realities of outsourcing. Outsourcing invariably means less job security, poorer pay, harsher terms, and worse working conditions for staff. This inevitably leads to poorer services for those that rely on them.

Swansea's Labour council is also making a liar of Wales' Labour First Minister, Carwyn Jones, who was applauded for pledging at the Wales TUC, last May, that "..there is no room for outsourcing of public services in Wales".

In 2012, people in Swansea elected a majority Labour council because they didn't want Con-Dem cuts. Less than two years later, they're getting Con-Dem cuts and outsourcing at the hands of the same Labour councillors.

For more information, or to join the Socialist Party, visit: www.socialistparty.o
rg.uk

Jeremy Browne makes the absolutely ludicrous claim that the so called 'Labour' Party represent 'socialism'....
Lets examine what New 'Labour' are doing in Swansea...
Not elected to make cuts, but Swansea's Labour councillors press ahead anyway
Cowards flinching and traitors sneering a plenty but not a single principled Labour councillor willing to vote against £26 million of Con-Dem cuts in the coming year and £45 million in the next three years. That tells you everything worth knowing about the full-council budget meeting in Swansea last night.
Labour councillors adopted a number of strategies to hide their embarrassment at being lobbied before the meeting and being asked not to vote for the cuts. Some scurried past as quick as they could, others shouted abuse at us, while some pretended that the council isn't making cuts. By far the most common response was to claim that cuts are 'Con-Dem cuts'. But if Labour councillors vote for Con-Dem cuts then they become their cuts.
Voting for Con-Dem cuts is exactly what they did. Despite every protestation that they weren't elected to make cuts, every Labour councillor did just that.
My trade union, Unison, is calling for Labour councils to raise the council tax by the maximum. Well, Swansea's Labour councillors have done that, raising council tax by 5% and still making millions of pounds of cuts to our members' jobs and services.
Manoeuvres
In the last couple of weeks, in the face of a public outcry, the council has announced suspension of decisions or delay in implementation of some of the most unpopular decisions: scrapping school crossing patrols, closing residential care homes, etc.
However the Medium Term Financial Plan makes it clear that all these measures are still on the agenda. This was spelt out when the finance officer made it clear that if three residential care homes were not shut down then the savings projected would have to be found from elsewhere, even though Labour councillors have been holding up the delay to shutting these homes as an example of how they listened to the people of Swansea.
Nobody in Swansea should be under any illusions; at best, some services have received a limited stay of execution but the overall amount of cuts to jobs and services remains unaltered.
Privatisation
The council budget is peppered with variations on the phrase "alternative delivery model". Behind this seemingly innocuous phrase is hidden the realities of outsourcing. Outsourcing invariably means less job security, poorer pay, harsher terms, and worse working conditions for staff. This inevitably leads to poorer services for those that rely on them.
Swansea's Labour council is also making a liar of Wales' Labour First Minister, Carwyn Jones, who was applauded for pledging at the Wales TUC, last May, that "..there is no room for outsourcing of public services in Wales".
In 2012, people in Swansea elected a majority Labour council because they didn't want Con-Dem cuts. Less than two years later, they're getting Con-Dem cuts and outsourcing at the hands of the same Labour councillors.
For more information, or to join the Socialist Party, visit: www.socialistparty.o
rg.ukSomersetBranch.SocialistParty

Jeremy Browne makes the absolutely ludicrous claim that the so called 'Labour' Party represent 'socialism'....

Lets examine what New 'Labour' are doing in Swansea...

Not elected to make cuts, but Swansea's Labour councillors press ahead anyway

Cowards flinching and traitors sneering a plenty but not a single principled Labour councillor willing to vote against £26 million of Con-Dem cuts in the coming year and £45 million in the next three years. That tells you everything worth knowing about the full-council budget meeting in Swansea last night.

Labour councillors adopted a number of strategies to hide their embarrassment at being lobbied before the meeting and being asked not to vote for the cuts. Some scurried past as quick as they could, others shouted abuse at us, while some pretended that the council isn't making cuts. By far the most common response was to claim that cuts are 'Con-Dem cuts'. But if Labour councillors vote for Con-Dem cuts then they become their cuts.

Voting for Con-Dem cuts is exactly what they did. Despite every protestation that they weren't elected to make cuts, every Labour councillor did just that.

My trade union, Unison, is calling for Labour councils to raise the council tax by the maximum. Well, Swansea's Labour councillors have done that, raising council tax by 5% and still making millions of pounds of cuts to our members' jobs and services.

Manoeuvres

In the last couple of weeks, in the face of a public outcry, the council has announced suspension of decisions or delay in implementation of some of the most unpopular decisions: scrapping school crossing patrols, closing residential care homes, etc.

However the Medium Term Financial Plan makes it clear that all these measures are still on the agenda. This was spelt out when the finance officer made it clear that if three residential care homes were not shut down then the savings projected would have to be found from elsewhere, even though Labour councillors have been holding up the delay to shutting these homes as an example of how they listened to the people of Swansea.

Nobody in Swansea should be under any illusions; at best, some services have received a limited stay of execution but the overall amount of cuts to jobs and services remains unaltered.

Privatisation

The council budget is peppered with variations on the phrase "alternative delivery model". Behind this seemingly innocuous phrase is hidden the realities of outsourcing. Outsourcing invariably means less job security, poorer pay, harsher terms, and worse working conditions for staff. This inevitably leads to poorer services for those that rely on them.

Swansea's Labour council is also making a liar of Wales' Labour First Minister, Carwyn Jones, who was applauded for pledging at the Wales TUC, last May, that "..there is no room for outsourcing of public services in Wales".

In 2012, people in Swansea elected a majority Labour council because they didn't want Con-Dem cuts. Less than two years later, they're getting Con-Dem cuts and outsourcing at the hands of the same Labour councillors.

For more information, or to join the Socialist Party, visit: www.socialistparty.o
rg.uk

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